Mayor Bowser and DDOT Launch Potholepalooza Campaign, the District’s “War on Potholes” Annual campaign will expedite pothole repairs across the District WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Leif Dormsjo kicked off the District's annual Potholepalooza, the District's “war on potholes” campaign to accelerate pothole repair time on roadways across the District. The event was part of Mayor Bowser's Pathways to the Middle Class Tour, a week-long effort leading up to Mayor Bowser's March 31 State of the District Address to highlight ways the Administration is helping to create Pathways to the Middle Class for D.C. residents.

“Today we are taking a fresh approach to pothole repairs in the District,” said Mayor Bowser. “By adopting new strategies and technologies we are better able to identify potholes, repair them quickly and ensure residents can drive on District roads that are smooth, comfortable, and most importantly, safe.”

Although today’s event officially launched the Potholepalooza campaign, DDOT has already filled nearly 7,300 potholes in the last two weeks. Mayor Bowser and Director Dormsjo helped fill potholes on Joliet Street, SW, in Ward 8, as DDOT crews mobilized for the spring season campaign. This year’s Potholepalooza will run throughout the spring season until all potholes are filled. As part of the campaign, DDOT will add extra crews to fill potholes, with the goal of repairing identified locations within 48 hours. The normal day-to-day response time is within 72 hours. During Potholepalooza, residents and visitors are encouraged to submit requests for pothole repairs. Residents can track Potholepalooza campaign progress online using this interactive online maphttp://ddot.dc.gov/service/pothole-repair. DDOT will post daily updates online of the overall totals of potholes filled.

“We have a common enemy, the pothole, which is in need of eradication,” said DDOT Director Dormsjo, “Today, by declaring war on potholes, we are making it our mission to conquer the enemy for a better tomorrow. We want you, DC's residents and commuters, to do your part for the war on potholes. Send us your requests, and make way for the crew and equipment that we'll be using to smooth our streets.” The first-ever Potholepalooza was held in 2009; over the past six campaigns, DDOT crews have filled more than 36,000 potholes. In 2014, DDOT received 2,310 service requests for pothole repairs during the month-long campaign and filled more than 13,000 potholes that season. How to Report a Pothole: Residents and Commuters can notify DDOT in a variety of ways:

The Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner meets at its regular monthly time and location on Wednesday, March 11 at 7pm at the Brookings Institution (1775 Massachusetts Ave NW). The agenda is available for download HERE. Some interesting items of note:

Request for support of two wall murals on U Street - one near Stetsons (1610 U) and one near CakeLove (1506 U)

A public space application for a sidewalk cafe at The Wydown (1824 U St). Chad and Alex at the Wydown are looking to add some tables and chairs outside their space to activate the area more. The plans would include at least 8 feet of pedestrian right-of-way on the sidewalk.

A zoning variance application by the owner of 1534 Swann St to add lot occupancy and construct a rear deck. This is a pretty unique space because the current "back yard" is a four foot hole in the ground. The proposed deck would greatly improve the space and was supported by the ANC's development committee last week.

A rehearing of the St. Thomas Church development project at 1772 Church St. The developers intend to construct a church and residential apartment building on the land. This is the third time the project will have been to the ANC for historic preservation review. The ANC supported the project with conditions in July and September. You can view the new plans for the project HERE.

We love the snow, but 24 hours after the storm ends, residential and commercial property owners should clear the snow from their sidewalks. Here are some suggestions for organizing your neighborhood shoveling team.

Before the first snowfall, talk with your neighbors. Find out who can help and who needs help, who has a shovel and who needs one. Exchange contact information: name, phone number(s), email, Twitter, Facebook.

Keep a list of those who can help and make a call every now and then to those who said they couldn’t. They might change their mind.

Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death during the winter.

Let your neighbors know if you will be out of town, so they can clear your sidewalk in your absence.

DPW solid waste enforcement personnel drive plows during snow storms, so they are not available to enforce sidewalk clearing violations. Please take care of your sidewalk and help your neighbors with theirs.

Welcome! This site serves as a resource for residents of ANC 2B09 in U Street and Dupont Circle. I provide updates with information on upcoming meetings, events in the neighborhood, and discussion topics.

You can learn more about me by clicking here. If you have any questions or comments or have an idea for a post, please reach out to me anytime.